Support column collet assembly

ABSTRACT

A support column collet assembly is provided that comprise a base having a tube extending perpendicularly from the base, a bearing plate having a tube extending perpendicularly from the bearing plate, and a collet clamp. The collet clamp has a tapered cylindrical portion at the end of the collet that is adapted to be received within the bearing plate tube, and an opening therein for adjustably receiving the end of the base tube. The collet further comprises at least two slots extending longitudinally from the end of the collet adapted to receive the base tube. The inside diameter of the collet clamp is configured to compress against the base tube received in the opening when the tapered cylindrical surface is pressed into the bearing plate tube, to effectively clamp the base tube relative to the bearing plate tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/660,576, filed Mar. 10, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to adjustable vertical support column assemblies for supporting roofs and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Support columns are often used to counteract the force that gravity exerts on a mass supported by a roof or other overhead structure. Support columns may also be positioned between two vertical objects under load to keep the objects spaced apart from each other. In underground mining, for example, support columns are used as supports for mine roofs. These support columns are generally positioned perpendicularly between the mine floor and the mine roof. The required length of the support column assembly will accordingly vary with respect to the height of the mine roof to be supported. Fabricating support columns of varying lengths can be costly, and trimming or adjusting the length of the columns during installation can be time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention comprise a support column assembly that provides for assembling the column in place to support a roof or other structure under load. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, some embodiments of a support column assembly comprise a base having a tube extending perpendicularly from the base, a bearing plate having a tube extending perpendicularly from the bearing plate, and a collet clamp. The collet clamp has a tapered cylindrical portion at the end of the collet that is adapted to be received within the bearing plate tube, and an opening therein for adjustably receiving the end of the base tube. The collet further comprises at least two slots extending longitudinally from the end of the collet adapted to receive the base tube, wherein the inside diameter of the collet clamp is configured to compress against the base tube received in the opening when the tapered cylindrical surface is pressed into the bearing plate tube. This compression effectively clamps the base tube relative to the bearing plate tube.

In another aspect of the present invention, one embodiment of a collet clamp is provided that comprises a tapered cylindrical portion and an opening therein adapted to receive a tube of a support base, the tapered cylindrical portion being adapted to be received within an open end of a bearing plate tube. The collet clamp is configured to be compressed against a support base tube received in the opening when the tapered cylindrical portion is pressed into the bearing plate tube to effectively clamp the support base tube relative to the bearing plate tube. The collet clamp further comprises at least two slots extending longitudinally from the end of the collet clamp that is adapted to receive the support base tube. As the tapered cylindrical portion of the collet clamp is gradually driven into the end of a support tube opening, the slots allow the ends of the collet to deflect and the opening through the tapered cylindrical portion to be reduced. The opening in the collet is compressed to frictionally grip against a support tube that is received within the opening of the collet clamp.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of an assembled vertical support column in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of an unassembled vertical support column;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a collet clamp of the vertical support column assembly of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of a clamp assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment of a support column collet assembly is shown generally as 20 in FIG. 1. The support column collet assembly 20 comprises a support base 22 having a tube 24 extending perpendicularly from the base 22, a bearing plate 28 having a tube 26 extending perpendicularly from the bearing plate 28, and a collet clamp 30 for clamping the support base tube 24 relative to the bearing plate tube 26.

In one embodiment of a support column collet assembly shown in FIG. 2, the collet clamp 30 has a tapered cylindrical portion 32 adapted to be received within the open end of the bearing plate tube 26, and an opening therein 34 for receiving the end of the support base tube 24. The collet clamp 30 is configured to compress against the support base tube 24 received in the opening 34 when the tapered cylindrical surface 32 is pressed into the bearing plate tube 26.

In use, the support base 22 is positioned on a generally horizontal surface and the support base tube 24 is received or positioned within the opening 34 in the collet clamp. The tapered cylindrical portion 32 of the collet clamp 30 is then inserted into or received within the open end of the bearing support tube 26, upon which the collet clamp 30 is gradually moved into the open end of the bearing support tube 26 until the collet clamp 30 has frictionally engaged the support base tube 24. The displacement of the tapered portion 32 of the collet clamp 30 within the bearing support tube 26 provides a sufficient amount of compression of the collet 30 against the support base tube 24. This sufficient amount of compression of the collet opening 34 frictionally grips the support base tube 24 to effectively clamp the support base tube 24 relative to the bearing plate tube 26. Thus, the support collet column assembly 20 may be placed on a horizontal surface and assembled in place to provide a support means for a roof or other structure spaced above the horizontal surface.

One embodiment of a collet clamp 30 is provided having a tapered cylindrical portion 32 and an opening 34 therein adapted to receive a tube 24 of a support base 22, the tapered cylindrical portion 32 being adapted to be received within an open end of a bearing plate tube 26, wherein the collet clamp 30 is configured to be compressed against a support base tube 24 received in the opening 34 when the tapered cylindrical portion 32 is pressed into the bearing plate tube 26 to effectively clamp the support base tube 24 relative to the bearing plate tube 26. Various embodiments of a collet clamp 30 may be configured for use with any number of different tube diameters, and may be used with any support base 22 or bearing plate assembly 28 comprising corresponding support tubes. The tapered portion 32 of the collet clamp 30 is configured to closely fit within the opening in the end of the bearing plate tube 26, such that the taper of the collet interferes with the inside diameter of the tube 26 when the collet clamp 30 is compressed.

In some embodiments, the collet clamp 30 further comprises at least two slots 36 extending longitudinally from the end of the collet clamp adapted to receive the support base tube 24. In other embodiments, the at least two slots 36 may alternatively extend longitudinally from the opposite end of the collet. As the tapered cylindrical portion 32 of the collet clamp 30 is gradually driven further into the end of a support tube opening, the slots 36 allow the ends of the collet to deflect and the opening through the tapered cylindrical portion 32 to be reduced. The collet opening 34 when compressed frictionally grips against a support tube 24 that is received within the opening of the collet clamp 30. Thus, the collet clamp 30 may be used to clamp any support column tube relative to a corresponding support column tube to allow for assembling the tubes to provide a support column for supporting a roof or other structure.

In another embodiment of a collet clamp 30 shown in FIG. 3, the collet clamp 30 has a tapered cylindrical portion 32 and an opening 34 therein adapted to receive a tube 24 of a support base 22, the tapered cylindrical portion 32 being adapted to be received within a bearing plate tube 26. The collet clamp 30 is configured to be compressed against a support base tube 24 received in the opening 34 when the tapered cylindrical portion 32 is pressed into the bearing plate tube 26 to effectively clamp the support base tube 24 relative to the bearing plate tube 26. The tapered cylindrical portion 32 has a length in the range of about 4 to 6 inches, and has a taper angle in the range of about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees. The collet clamp 30 further comprises at least two slots 36 extending longitudinally from the end of the collet 30 that is adapted to receive the support base tube 24, where the slots 36 have a length 40 that at least corresponds to the length of the tapered cylinder portion 34. The collet clamp 30 of this embodiment further comprising a shoulder 38 on the end of the collet clamp 30 adapted to receive or abut one end of the support base tube 24. This shoulder 38 also provides a surface for applying a force against, for driving or pressing the tapered cylindrical portion 34 of the collet clamp 30 into the open end of a bearing support tube 26.

In a second embodiment of a support column collet assembly, an adjustable support column assembly 20 is provided that comprises a base 22 having a tube 24 extending perpendicularly from the base 22, a bearing plate 28 having a tube 26 extending perpendicularly from the bearing plate 28, and a collet clamp 30. The collet clamp 30 has a tapered cylindrical portion 32 at one end that is adapted to be received within the bearing plate tube 26, and also has an opening therein for adjustably receiving the end of the base tube 24. The collet clamp 30 further comprises at least two slots 36 extending longitudinally from the end of the collet adapted to receive the base tube 24, wherein the inside diameter of the collet clamp 30 is configured to compress against the base tube 24 received in the opening 34 when the tapered cylindrical surface 32 is pressed into the bearing plate tube 26, to effectively clamp the base tube 24 relative to the bearing plate tube 26. The adjustable support column 20 is configured such that the base tube 24 may be adjustably positioned within the opening 34 of the collet clamp 30 to adjust the height of the support column 20 as necessary to fit the height of the roof or structure to be supported. In this embodiment, the tapered cylindrical portion 32 of the collet clamp 30 has a length in the range of about 4 to 6 inches, and a taper angle in the range of about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees. The collet clamp 30 preferably comprises two slots 36 extending longitudinally from the end of the collet clamp 30 that is adapted to receive the base tube 24, each slot of which has a length 40 that at least corresponds to the length of the tapered cylinder portion 32. The collet clamp 30 further comprises a shoulder 38 on the end of the collet clamp 38 adapted to receive the base tube 24, and the collet 30 is preferably made of steel or a steel alloy. Likewise, the base tube 24 and bearing plate tube 26 are also preferably made of steel or a steel alloy.

In a third embodiment a support column collet assembly shown in FIG. 4, a modified collet assembly 20″ is shown in which the first support tube 26 has an open end 29, and a cylindrical clamp 40 having a tapered opening 42 therein is disposed over the first support tube 26. A locking collet or wedge 30 having a tapered end portion 32 and an opening 34 therein is placed over a second support tube 24, which is then inserted in the opening at the end 29 of the first support tube 26. The second support tube 24 is slidably disposed within the first support tube 26 such that the second support tube may be positioned relative to the first support tube to provide for adjusting the height of the support column assembly. The tapered end 32 of the locking collet or wedge 30 is then slid into position between the opening in the end 29 of the first support tube 26 and the second support tube 24 as shown in FIG. 4. The collet or wedge 30 is then driven between the second support tube 24 and the first support tube 26, during which the end 29 of the first support tube 26 becomes flared. The cylindrical clamp 40 is then driven onto the flared end 29 of the first support tube 26, which compresses the flared end 29 and the locking collet or wedge 30 onto the second support tube 24. As the cylindrical clamp 40 is gradually driven onto the flared end 29, the first support tube 26 and the locking collet wedge 32 frictionally grip the first support tube 24 to effectively clamp the first support tube 26 relative to the second support tube 24. Thus, the third embodiment of a vertical support column assembly 20″ may be placed on a horizontal surface and assembled in place to provide a support means for a roof or other structure.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A collet clamp having a tapered portion and an opening therein adapted to receive a first tube, the tapered cylindrical portion being adapted to be received within a second tube, the collet clamp being configured to be compressed against the first tube received in the opening when the tapered cylindrical portion is pressed into the second tube to effectively clamp the support base tube relative to the bearing plate tube.
 2. The collet clamp according to claim 1 wherein the taped portion of the collet is generally cylindrical.
 3. The collet clamp of claim 2 wherein the tapered cylindrical portion has a length of between about 4 and about 6 inches.
 4. The collet clamp of claim 3 wherein the tapered cylindrical portion has a taper angle of between about 0.5 degrees and about 5 degrees.
 5. The collet clamp of claim 4 further comprising at least two slots extending longitudinally from the end of the collet clamp that is adapted to receive the first tube, the slots having a length that at least corresponds to the length of the tapered cylindrical portion.
 6. The collet clamp of claim 5 further comprising a shoulder on the end of the collet clamp adapted to receive the first tube.
 7. A support column assembly comprising: a first tube having first and second ends; a base on the first end of the first tube for engaging a surface; a second tube having first and second ends, with an opening in the second end; a base on the first end of the second tube; a collet clamp having a tapered portion adapted to be received within the opening in the second end of the second tube, the collet further comprising an opening therein for receiving the second end of the first tube, the collet clamp being configured to compress against the second end of the first tube received in the opening of the collet when the tapered surface is pressed into the opening in the second end of the second tube, to effectively clamp the first tube relative to the second tube.
 8. The support column of claim 7 wherein the tapering face of the collet is generally cylindrical, and the first and second tubes are generally cylindrical.
 9. The support column assembly of claim 8 further comprising at least two slots extending longitudinally from the end of the collet clamp that is adapted to receive the support base tube.
 10. The support column assembly of claim 8 wherein the tapered cylindrical portion has a length in the range of about 4 to 6 inches.
 11. The support column assembly of claim 10 wherein the tapered cylindrical portion has a taper angle of between about 0.5 and about 5 degrees.
 12. The support column assembly of claim 11 further comprising at least two slots extending longitudinally from the end of the collet clamp that is adapted to receive the support base tube, the slots having a length that at least corresponds to the length of the tapered cylinder portion.
 13. The support column assembly of claim 12 further comprising a shoulder on the end of the collet clamp adapted to receive the support base tube.
 14. An adjustable support column assembly comprising: a first tube having first and second ends; a first base plate on the first end of the first tube, extending perpendicularly with respect to the first tube; a second tube having first and second ends, the second end of the second tube having an opening therein; a second base plate on the first end of the second tube, extending perpendicularly with respect to the second tube; and a collet clamp having a tapered cylindrical portion at one end that is adapted to be received in the opening in the second end of the second tube, and an opening therein for adjustably receiving the second end of the first tube, the collet clamp including at least two slots extending longitudinally from the end of the collet that is adapted to receive the first tube, the collet clamp being configured to compress against the portion of the first tube received in the opening in the collet when the tapered cylindrical surface of the collet is pressed into the opening in the second end of the second tube, to effectively clamp the base tube relative to the bearing plate tube.
 15. The adjustable support column of claim 14 wherein the first tube may be adjustably positioned within the opening of the collet clamp to adjust the height of the support column as necessary.
 16. The adjustable support column of claim 15 wherein the tapered cylindrical portion has a length of between about 4 and about 6 inches.
 17. The adjustable support column of claim 16 wherein the tapered cylindrical portion has a taper angle of between about 0.5 degrees and about 5 degrees.
 18. The adjustable support column of claim 17, wherein there are two slots in the collet, and wherein the slots have a length that at least corresponds to the length of the tapered cylinder portion.
 19. The adjustable support column of claim 17 further comprising a shoulder on the end of the collet clamp adapted to receive the support base tube.
 20. The adjustable support column of claim 17 wherein the collet clamp is made of steel or a steel alloy.
 21. The adjustable support column of claim 17 wherein the first tube and second tube are made of steel or a steel alloy.
 22. An adjustable support column assembly comprising: a first support tube having first and second ends, with an opening in the second end; a bearing plate on the second end of the first support tube; a second support tube, having first and second ends; a bearing plate on the first end of the second support tube; the second end of the second support tube telescoping into the opening in the second end of the first tube; a locking wedge between the second end of the first tube and the second end of the second tube, the wedge having an tapered exterior face facing the inside of the second end of the first tube; a cylindrical clamp having an opening for receiving the second end of the first tube, and adapted to be driven over wedge member, the clamp having a tapered interior surface for engaging the second end of the first tube between the locking wedge and clamp, so that the relative axial movement of the cylindrical clamp and the locking wedge compresses the second end of the first support tube against the second end of the second tube to effectively clamp the first support tube relative to the second support tube.
 23. The adjustable support column of claim 22 wherein the locking wedge is separate from the second support tube.
 24. The adjustable support column of claim 22 wherein the locking wedge is formed integrally with the second support tube.
 25. The adjustable support column of claim 22 further comprising at least two longitudinally extending slots in the locking wedge.
 26. The adjustable support column of claim 22 further comprising at least two longitudinally extending slots in the second end of the first tube.
 27. The adjustable support column of claim 22 wherein the second end of the first tube is flared.
 28. The adjustable support column of claim 22 wherein the tapered portion of the locking wedge has a length in the range of about 4 to 6 inches.
 29. The adjustable support column of claim 22 wherein the tapered portion of the locking wedge has a taper angle of between about 0.5 degrees and about 5 degrees.
 30. The adjustable support column of claim 22 further comprising at least two longitudinally extending slots in the tapered portion of the locking wedge.
 31. The adjustable support column of claim 22 wherein the locking wedge is a separate piece than the first support tube, and wherein the locking wedge comprises a shoulder at one end of the locking wedge adapted to engage the second end of the first support tube.
 32. The adjustable support column of claim 22 wherein the locking wedge and cylindrical clamp are made of steel or a steel alloy.
 33. The adjustable support column of claim 22 wherein the first and second support tubes are made of steel or a steel alloy. 